The Herbal Encyclopedia - C

Caraway
Carum carvi
MEDICINAL: Caraway aids digestion, can help promote menses, can increase a
mother's milk, and is good to add to cough remedies as an expectorant.
RELIGIOUS: Carry Caraway in an amulet for protection. Carrying caraway seeds
promotes the memory. It can also guard against theft. It is said to promote lust when
baked into breads, cookies, or cakes.
GROWING: Caraway can be found in meadows, woods, and rocky areas. It prefers a
rich soil. Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, it also grows wild here in North America. It
is a biennial that reaches 1 1/2 - 2 feet high.

Cascara Sagrada
Rhamnus purshiana
MEDICINAL: Used in treating chronic constipation, and is a stimulant to the whole
digestive system. It is a safe laxative, and is useful for treating intestinal gas, liver and
gall bladder complaints, and enlarged liver.
RELIGIOUS: Sprinkled around the home before going to court, it will help you to win
your case. It is ued in money spells and in repelling evil and hexes.
GROWING: Cascara Sagrada is a tree that is native to the Pacific Northwest regions of
North America.

Catnip
Nepeta cataria
MEDICINAL: Catnip is effective alone or in herbal remedies for colds, flu, fevers, upset
stomach, and insomnia. Particularly good for children with upset stomachs in a very mild
infusion.
RELIGIOUS: Use the large leaves, well dried, to mark pages in magickal books. Use in
conjunction with rose petals in love sachets. It will also create a psychic bond between
you and your cat. Grow near your home to attract luck and good spirits.
GROWING: Catnip will grow in most soils, and tends to enjoy a bit of the dry spells
once it is established. It grows throughout North America, and is a perennial reaching to 3
feet high.

Cat's Claw
Uncaria tomentosa
MEDICINAL: Also known as una de gato. Used in treatment of arthritis, gastritis,
tumors, dysentery, female hormonal imbalances, viral infections. It is effective in aiding
treatment of the immune system, the intestinal system, and the cardivoascular system.
This herb should not be taken by those who have received an organ transplant, nor
by pregnant or nursing women.

Cayenne
Capsicum spp.
MEDICINAL: Cayenne, also called capsicum, is very effective added to liniments for
all sorts of arthritis and muscle aches. Internally it benefits the heart and circulation when
taken alone or added to other remedies. It is also used to stimulate the action of other
herbs. Capsicum is also used to normalize blood pressure. It will stop bleeding both
externally and internally, making it excellent for use with ulcers. It is used in antibiotic
combinations, for menstrual cramps, and as a part of treatment for depression. Sprinkle a
small amount into socks or shoes to warm the feet during the winter months. It can be
taken safely with NSAIDS, and may help you to reduce your dosages of these common
arthritis drugs.
RELIGIOUS: Cayenne pepper scattered around your house will break bad spells.
Adding it to love powders will ensure that your love will be spicy, and can inflame the
loved one with passion.
GROWING: Cayenne pepper plants like a good, rich soil, plenty of water, and full sun.
The peppers are dried after ripening. For herbal use, the peppers are usually ground into a
powder and mixed with other powdered herbs in capsules.

Cedar
Cedrus spp.
RELIGIOUS: Cedar chips used in rituals or burnt attracts money, and is also used in
purification and healing. It is a symbol of power and longevity. Hung in the home it will
protect against lightning. Juniper can be used in place of cedar.
GROWING: There are many types of cedars that grow throughout the world. Check
with your local nursery for varieties best suited to your area. Cedars are evergreen
perennials that are attractive in any landscape.

Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), Anthemus nobilis (Roman chamomile)
MEDICINAL: Use the tea for nerves and menstrual cramps. The tea is also useful for
babies and small children with colds and stomach troubles. Also used to calm the body
for inducing sleep in insomniac conditions. It is also a good wash for sore eyes and open
sores.
RELIGIOUS: Chamomile is used in prosperity charms to attract money. Added to
incense, it will produce a relaxed state for better meditation. Burned alone it will induce
sleep. Added to a ritual bath, it will attract love. Sprinkle it around your property to
remove curses and bad spells.
GROWING: Chamomile is an annual that adapts to most soils, likes lots of water and
full sun. It grows up to 20 inches tall.

Chickweed
Stellaria media
MEDICINAL: Chickweed is an excellent source of many B vitamins and various
minerals. It is used to treat bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds, and as a blood builder.
Externally it is good for skin diseases, and the tea added to the bath is good for soothing
skin irritations and rashes.
RELIGIOUS: Chickweed is carried and/or used in spells to attract love and to maintain
a relationship.
GROWING: This annual spreading plant is usually hated as an obnoxious weed by the
typical gardener. It is found throughout temperate areas of North America and of Europe,
the plant's native homeland. It prefers full sun, average to poor soils, and infrequent
watering.

Cinnamon
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
MEDICINAL: Add cinnamon to remedies for acute symptoms, as this herb is a
stimulant to other herbs and the body, enabling herbal remedies to work faster. It is also a
blood purifier, an infection preventer, and a digestive aid. Do not ingest cinnamon oil.
RELIGIOUS:Burned in incense, cinnamon will promote high spirituality. It is also used
to stimulate the passions of the male. It should also be burned in incenses used for
healing. The essential oil is used for protection.

Clover, Red
Trifolium pratense
MEDICINAL: Red Clover is used as a nerve tonic and as a sedative for exhaustion. It is
used to strengthen those children with weak systems, and is used with children for
coughs, bronchitis, wheezing, as it is mild to their systems. It is often used in
combination with many other drugs in the treatment of cancer. It is also used for skin
eruptions (acne).
RELIGIOUS: Clover brings luck, prsperity, and health. Carrying a three-leaf clover
gives you protection. Worn over the right breast it will bring you success in all
undertakings.
GROWING: Grow clover as you would lawn grasses. Clover is an excellent cover crop,
planted in fallow areas and turned under in the fall, it makes an excellent fertilizer for
poor soils.
 Cloves
Eugenia caryophyllata
MEDICINAL: Clove oil will stop a toothache when it is applied directly to the cavity. It
is very warm and stimulating to the system, and is very useful with people who have cold
extremities. Cloves will promote sweating with fevers, colds, and flu. It is often used in
remedies for whooping cough. Cloves are also safe and effective for relieving vomiting
during pregnancy.
RELIGIOUS: Cloves worn in an amulet will drive away negativity and hostility, and
stop gossip. It is often carried to stimulate the memory, and can be added to attraction
sachets. Clove oil is also worn as an aphrodisiac, and the buds when eaten are said to stir
up bodily lusts. It is placed in sachets with mint and rose to chase away melancholy and
to help one sleep soundly. Carried, it can also bring comfort to the bereaved and
mourning.

Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara
MEDICINAL: Used to treat respiratory problems, and is soothing to the stomach and
intestines. Combine with horehound, ginger, and licorice root for a soothing cough syrup.
RELIGIOUS: Coltsfoot is added to love sachets and is used in spells of peace and
tranquility.
GROWING: Coltsfoot is a perennial that prefers damp, clay soils. It grows 5 to 18
inches high, and likesfull to partial sun.

Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
MEDICINAL: A poultice of comfrey heals wounds, burns, sores, and bruises. It is a
powerful remedy for coughs, ulcers, healing broken bones and sprains, and is used in
treating asthma. Large amounts or dosages can cause liver damage, but there are no
problems with using it externally. Used internally, it is best and safest to use a tea, rather
than capsules.
RELIGIOUS: Carrying comfrey during travel will ensure your safety. Put some in your
luggage to prevent it being lost or stolen. It will also bring luck to the carrier.
GROWING: Comfrey prefers well-drained soils and partial shade. It grows from Canada
to Georgia, as far west as Missouri, in the wild. It is a perennial that grows to 3 feet high.
It can be started from seed, but you will be more successful with cuttings. Once
established, it will spread vigorously. Harvest leaves when the flowers bud, and roots in
the autumn after the first frost.
 Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
MEDICINAL: Juices from the stems of this plant are used externally to treat wounds
and cuts.
RELIGIOUS: Cornflower is used to promote and enhance phsychic sight, as well as
normal eyesight.
GROWING: Cornflower is adaptable to many soils and conditions. It is an annual that
grows 1 - 2 feet tall.

Cramp Bark
Viburnum opulus
MEDICINAL: Cramp Bark is one of the best female regulators in the herb world. It is a
uterine sedative, aiding in menstrual cramps and afterbirth. It helps to prevent
miscarriage, as well as internal hemmorhaging